Nursing Division

Breast Awareness

Patient Information

What is
breast awareness?
Breast awareness is about getting to
know how your breasts look and feel and
what is normal for you at different times
of the month.

When should I be breast aware?

When you become familiar with how

your breasts normally look and feel-it will
become easier for you to detect any
changes.
Remember that nine out of ten lumps or
changes are harmless. There are many
myths and stories about what causes
breast cancer.
However, if you note any changes in your
breast appearance, contact your doctor
and if you have any worries or anxieties
please also contact your doctor.

Who should be breast aware?

Every woman, from puberty

onwards, should become breast
aware
It is recommended that all the
women should begin practicing
monthly Breast Self Examination
from the early twenties
There is more risk of getting breast
cancer as you get older

Women with very lumpy breasts may

find this difficult. Do try to become
familiar with any lumpiness and, if you
are worried, seek advice from your doctor.

There is no specific time - it is up to

you
The best time to check your breasts
is 2-3 days after your period ends
If you become pregnant, you should
still check your breasts regularly,
changes in size and texture are quite
normal
If you no longer have periods
choose a particular day such as the
first day of the month is the easiest
date to remind yourself to do Breast
Self Examination

How often should I check myself?

Check your breasts regularly, once

every month
Do not examine your breasts more
frequently than once each month.
You may not detect subtle or small
changes

Breast Self Examination

Getting to know what your breasts look
and feel like is in the interest of good
health. It is important to know what is
normal for you, so that you can detect
any changes.
The best way to become familiar with
your breasts is to perform monthly Breast
Self- Examination.

How should I carry out Breast SelfExamination?

There are two ways of Breast Self Examination and Awareness

Looking
Feeling

Find a place or room in which you feel

comfortable that is also well lighten
1.

Stand in front of a mirror; inspect

both breasts for anything unusual
such as any discharge from the
nipples or puckering, dimpling or,
scaling of the skin.

2.

Watching closely in the mirror, clasp

your hands behind your head and
press your hands forward.

3.

Next, press your hands firmly on

your hips and bow slightly towards
your mirror as you pull your
shoulders and elbows forward.

Some women do the next part of the

examination in the shower because
fingers glide over soapy skin, making it
easy to concentrate on the texture
underneath.

4.

Raise your left arm. Use three or four

fingers of your right hand to explore
your left breast firmly, carefully, and
thoroughly.
Beginning at the outer edge, press the
flat part of your fingers in small circles,
moving the circles slowly around the
breast. Gradually work toward the nipple.
Be sure to cover the entire breast. Pay
special attention to the area between
the breast and the underarm, including

the underarm itself. Feel for any unusual

lump under the skin.
5.

Gently squeeze the nipple and look

for a discharge. (If you have any
discharge during the month---whether or not it is during Breast
Self Examination --- go to your
doctor). Repeat step 4 and 5 on your

right breast.

6.

Steps 4 and 5 should be repeated

lying down. Lie flat on your back
with your left arm over your head
and a pillow or folded towel under
your left shoulder.

This position flattens the breast and

makes it easier to examine. Use the same
circular motion described earlier. Repeat
the exam on your right breast.

the skin
A change in direction of the nipple
or if it has started to draw in (don't
worry about nipples which have
always been drawn in)
Nipple discharge (some women
produce a clear or milky discharge
which is normal for them)
New veins which stand out,
particularly on one breast and not
the other
Any skin changes on the breast or
nipple

What am I feeling for?

Any areas of thickening

Any lumps whatever their shape or
form
Any lumpy areas
New or persistent pain or
tenderness within the breasts

Any changes you find which are new for

you must be checked by your doctor.
Remember that nine out of ten changes
are completely harm.

What I am Looking For?

An increase or decrease in size (is

very common to have one breast
larger than the other)
Changes in the outline or shape of
the breast causing flattening of the
skin
Dimpling, creasing or puckering of

Where can I get help?

If you have any queries or problems
related to your health, please contact:
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer
Hospital & Research Centre.

All revenues from services treat needy Cancer patients

www.shaukatkhanum.org.pk

Shaukat Khanum Memorial

Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

NURSING01-22Sept08-PIB4.1

7-A, Block R-3, Johar Town, Lahore

Tel: 042-35945100 UAN: 111-155-555
Toll Free Number: 0800-11555